You don't control me, Dixon

➊ 1: Hello, death...

♤

I hope my mother never cried like this man was, hunched over like the world was stabbing him over and over but not allowed to die yet.

Like that Greek story, Prometheus. The poor man. This poor man, seeing his friend on life support.

My mom nudges me with her hip and her dark eyes engulf me as a toddler would in the deepest part of the lake.

I nod and place a hand on the man's shoulder who stops shaking and turns, tearfully puffy eyes and all.

Offering a small smile, I say softly "Sir, can I ask you to exit the room for a second?"

He sniffles and nods, standing from his spot and shuffling out of the room.

I glance at my mom, the air of sadness gone and poke fun "Madam Anne-"

She pushes me slightly forcing me to take a couple of steps as she huffs in fake annoyance "You know Lulu, you won't be able to be a doctor if you are sarcastic like that."

I roll my eyes as mom changes the man's catheter bag, the pale yellow liquid sloshing as I snort "And here I thought that's the job description called for, I guess you can't be one, especially with those tattoos young lady."

She gives me a look as she places the bag and all used objects on a cart and nods to me as she tucks the man in, our nearly matching dark hair falling out of her bun.

I open the door and the Prometheus reborn sits in the same chair in the same manner as he was as he has been for the time that this 'Rick' has been hospitalized.

Mom pats me and I follow in her wake, pushing the cart till the door closed behind me where she stops, hands on the cart. She smiles at me, the waves of pride rolls off her like the waves of fog that rolls through the yard in the early hours of the morning.

"Honey, you have been doing wonderfully, I'm going to speak to Joan to see if you can do more hands-on things other than being someone's shadow. You are already graduated-"

I sigh and shake my head, "Mama, no. I'm barely able to get a job, this -in its self- has been a blessing. I don't want to push my luck."

She cups my cheek with her free hand and hums, beaming "I just want the best for you, love. But- if that's what you want, then I'll leave it."

I smile my thanks and as she turns before quickly going back to face me with a large bright smile and laughs "Till to tomorrow that is."

I shake my head as she walks off. I swear she's more of a child than I am at times.

I push the cart after her as I ask "What happened? To that man I mean."

She slows and steps to the side, falling into pace next to me "He's a cop darling, he got shot on the job. That man is his deputy."

I nod and continue on down the hall, giving nods and smiles to nurses that I know, a person in all black makes me halt, grabbing my mom's scrubs.

She glances at me only to have her head whip to the person, all her muscles tense underhand.

I glance at her and grab the cart closer, whispering sharply "Mama-"